Two and a half to go? Where has the time gone?!

Wow, I haven't updated my blog in weeks. Its hard for me to remember that I need to update it, because there is always so much going on.

A lot has happened since I last updated, but I will try to make this as short and sweet as possible :)

Two weekends ago (March 4th-6th), a group of us went to the North side of Cyprus, but this time we checked out Famagusta. We were told that this part of the island has amazing ruins and beaches and is absolutely beautiful. So, we hopped on a bus and after a little confusion made it there! We became the prime definition of tourists as we shot pictures of everything all around us. We saw remains of an ancient venetian royal palace and many churches. After walking a pretty far distance, we made our way to the beach where we spent the remainder of the day. The water was crystal clear and so calm. This is where we relaxed for a while as we soaked in the last of the sun. Once it started getting dark, we made our way back to Nicosia. We walked a lot faster this time because we all felt a little uncomfortable being on the turkish side at night, but we managed to make it back safely. My roommates and I then went and got some delicious sandwiches and crepes to end our day. The next day, sunday, was carnival. The carnival is a big celebration in Limasol held right before the beginning of lent. All participants go all out in costumes and dress to have one, big, massive street celebration. Being there and seeing the enthuasiam of all the people was really something; confetti was thrown everywhere and children sprayed us with silly string every chance they got. It was the most disorganized, but fun loving carnival I have ever seen. We met some people from the international european exchange program and spent the rest of the day with them before heading back. On monday, we had the day off for a greek national holdiday called "Green Monday." We weren't really sure of the meaning of this, but Colby, Zivilie, Ted, Ben and I spent the day downtown walking around, going to an observatory and eating great food!

Ancient remains of a castle in Famagusta

Beach!

Carnival!

The rest of week involved some school work and my internship. During history of art, we all made mini rose windows that all had a meaning behind them. Our professor went into detail about the power of words and how much of impact they do infact make upon us. She related the entire lecture back to beauty of art and it was truly amazing. I wish I could explain this particular lecture in more detail, but it is all written in my notes.

My mini rose window

"the power of words"

This past weekend, I had some quality "me" time, something I haven't had much of chance to do while being here. All the people in the "Semester in the Mediterranean" program went on thier trip to Greece and Italy and my other two roommates spent the weekend having a fantastic time in Israel. It was quiet, but really great. Instead of traveling, I met up with my new friend from Lithuana, Zivile, and went exploring on Saturday. We went back up to Famagusta to the Salamis ruins. These date way back to Roman period are truly breathtaking. Pictures do not do them justice. As soon as we walked into the ancient acropolis, Zivile and I both gasped for breath. She told me after that she felt as though she could "feel thier pressence there long ago". It was simply amazing. We did not want to leave, but we had a taxi cap waiting for us, so we went back into the city of Famagusta where we walked around more ruins and enjoyed a great picnic lunch. There were even two stray cats who kept coming up to us really trying to steal our meat. :)

So far this week, Monday and Tuesday, I haven't had any classes, so I spent most of my time looking for summer jobs and preparing for my big trip.  I leave tomorrow for the UK after my one class of the week! I was a little nervous to tell my internship that I would be missing a lot of days, but they instead gave me a marshmallow lolipop and told me to go and enjoy my travels! My aunt, Stephanie Cooke, has been on the news twice this week after writing her book, 'In Mortal Hands, A Cautionary History of The Nuclear Age'  about the new nuclear situation in Japan. I tried to find them live, but could only find one. I'm so proud of her and all my prayers go out to Japan.

Gift for missing six days of my internship?!

I've been looking forward to this for a really long time and I cannot believe how fast time is going by here. I realized that this past weekend was my last free weekend in Cyprus until May because of all the travel that is ahead of me. There are many times when my semester seems to be going by very slowly, but for the most part, the end is creeping up so very fast and makes me want to fully immerse myself and enjoy every opportunity I have been given.  I am so grateful and lucky that I get to see my family in England tomorrow and spend a week with all of them; it has been way too long since I spent some quality time there. After that, I meet up with 6 of my friends and we make away across to Scotland and Ireland. This has been an amazing semester so far; I couldn't ask for anything more. I am learning, opening up, growing and can already feel myself changing from a few short months abroad.



"I could tell you my adventures - beginning from this morning, but it's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then."
~Alice in Wonderland~

A Sunburn in February?

This past weekend, a group of us decided to get out of Nicosia and actually see the true beauty this island has to offer. Tony, a family friend of my roommate, Carli, picked us up at our apartment on Friday afternoon and drove us to Larnaca to see the Flamingos that are waiting to migrate to Africa. Next stop...Aiya Napa.

Tony took us to the caves where we marvaled at the beauty all around us. It felt like a dream. The clouds were coming in and it was truly amazing to see a storm blowing across the Mediterranean. We knew it was going to start to downpour, so we booked it back to the car and barely made it in time. We then went to our hotel which was spacious, beautiful and very Greek-like. We hung out for a while, put in one of my all time favorite movies, "Definitely Maybe" and went off into a mini nap. Later that night, Emily, Zivile, Colby, Ted and I took some wine and went to the beach. The water was gorgeous and it was a great way to spend a Friday night.

My roomates and I by the caves 

Saturday was picture day. After laying out on the beach for a while that morning, we walked all over Aiya Napa snapping photos at practically everything. We found a cool monastery with a recording of monks singing. When we went in, we found out it was the Monastery of Aiya Napa where all the Christians used to hide. It was a really eery feeling going in there, but was so neat! We also found a beautiful harbor filled with huge boats. Our stomachs were growling by this point, so we ate right on the harbor and looked out onto the Mediterranean. This is where we came across some pelicans. They have got to be one of the creepiest animals I have seen; red eyes and very mean. The sign on thier cage said "Keep Three Feet Back...They Bite". We soon found this to be very true when they stuck thier long beaks out at us, going right in for it! In February, Aiya Napa is less than packed. There were a lot of elderly men and women and must have felt weird with all us college students. However, apparantely in May, it gets packed with people! I almost liked it better with no one really there, it was quiet and peaceful and very relaxing.

That night, we were all supposed to go to a club, but after going to the Happy Hour at our hotel, we didn't even make it; the Pina Coladas were so delicious! We woke up and went to the hotel for an amazing buffett breakfast, then laid out on the beach again for a while and got sunburns...in february?! That's something new. We then walked along the rock cliffs next to the beach and basked in everything! I have never been surrounded by so much beauty; everywhere you looked was another incredible view; I could  have just stayed there forever. Jeana, Emily and I found a little cove right by the water and just laid there and looked out onto the Mediterranean for hours. We took the bus back and unfortunatley had to get right into the work mode.

Its weird thinking of school while being here. I completely foget that I actually do have to do work. On Tuesday, I had another presentation and a midterm. It was a long and tiring day, but managed to make it through. In my History class, we were talking about Switzerland and he asked if anyone had ever been there. I was the only that had and he was asking me what I thought of it; of course I had nothing but amazing things to say! What I've also noticed while being here is that many of the professors remind me of the father in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". According to them, all words come from a Greek root and they will all go into a detailed explanation of it. Its really funny! In Art History this week, we talked about Notre Dame and Chartres Cathedrals since we will be going there later in the semester. It was so cool because it reminded me of my trip there in high school when we sang in them! I can't wait to go again!

My internship is also in full swing now. I go two times a week and its cool to be in an office! However, they all argue in Greek all around me and then end up leaving the room for a few hours. The woman I am working for told me she was going to put me in another room, but that she would be right back. I kept on doing my work and after hours of her not returing, I found out she had already left for the day! So, I guess that was my cue to leave also...it is very interesting to say the least!

Last night, was our friend, Jake's, 21st birthday, so we had a big celebration for him. First we went to a fancy bar and then walked to the club with an open bar. Towards the end of the night, Jake was not doing so well, but he had a good birthday! So, tonight's agenda: Cheesecake from the local bakery and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" with my roommates and the guy's next door. This weekend, we might go to Larnaca to stay at Tony's place for free which would be nice.

Lately, I've been having terrible technology issues. I could go on and on for hours! When in Aiya Napa, my ghetto camera charger messed up my battery, so I could no longer use that one. Thank god my mom had sent me her nice camera from home! However, the batteries in that one had only lasted about half a day. I talked to my photo teacher and he told me what to do, so I really hope something works out!

The biggest thing that happed today: I changed my flight to England! I am now going to be leaving a week early to spend some quality time with my grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins and I'm so excited! It is going to be great to see them all for a while before heading off to Scotland and Ireland! What a semester!

That's all for now! :)